In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (CoV) epidemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus - 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged from China. This virus causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since then, there have been anecdotal reports of ocular infection. The ocular implications of human CoV infections have not been widely studied. However, CoVs have been known to cause various ocular infections in animals. Clinical entities such as conjunctivitis, anterior uveitis, retinitis and optic neuritis have been documented in feline and murine models.

In this article, the current evidence suggesting possible human CoV infection of ocular tissue is reviewed. The review article will also highlight animal CoVs and their associated ocular infections. Authors wrote that they hoped that the article would serve as a start for further research into the ocular implications of human CoV infections.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has rapidly emerged as a global health threat. The purpose of this article was to share local experience of stepping up infection control measures in ophthalmology to minimize COVID-19 infection of both healthcare workers and patients. Infection control measures implemented in the authors’ ophthalmology clinic were discussed. The measures were based on detailed risk assessment by both local ophthalmologists and infection control experts.

A three-level hierarchy of control measures was adopted. First, for administrative control, in order to lower patient attendance, text messages with an inquiry phone number were sent to patients to reschedule appointments or arrange drug refills. In order to minimize cross-infection of COVID-19, a triage system was set up to identify patients with fever, respiratory symptoms, acute conjunctivitis or recent travel to outbreak areas and to encourage these individuals to postpone their appointments for at least 14 days. Micro-aerosol generating procedures, such as non-contact tonometry and operations under general anaesthesia were avoided. Nasal endoscopy was avoided as it may provoke sneezing and cause generation of droplets. All elective clinical services were suspended. Infection control training was provided to all clinical staff. Second, for environmental control, to reduce droplet transmission of COVID-19, installation of protective shields on slit lamps, frequent disinfection of equipment, and provision of eye protection to staff were implemented. All staff were advised to measure their own body temperatures before work and promptly report any symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, vomiting or diarrhea. Third, universal masking, hand hygiene and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) were promoted.

The authors hoped their initial experience in stepping up infection control measures for COVID-19 infection in ophthalmology could help ophthalmologists globally prepare for the potential community outbreak or pandemic. In order to minimize transmission of COVID-19, they wrote that ophthalmologists should work closely with local infection control teams to implement infection control measures that are appropriate for their own clinical settings.

The authors wrote that health professionals preventing and controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 are prone to skin and mucous membrane injury, which may cause acute and chronic dermatitis, secondary infection and aggravation of underlying skin diseases.

This was the consensus of Chinese experts on protective measures and advice on hand-cleaning and medical-glove-related hand protection, mask- and goggles-related face protection, UV-related protection, eye protection, nasal and oral mucosa protection, and outer ear and hair protection.

The authors wrote that it is necessary to strictly follow standards for wearing protective equipment and specifications for sterilizing and cleaning, as insufficient and excessive protection could have adverse effects on the skin and mucous membrane barrier. At the same time, they added, using moisturizing products is highly recommended to achieve better protection.